Peel Region will not be divorcing after all.
On Wednesday, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Paul Calandra announced that the government has backed down from its plans to break up the region, which consists of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.
“The evidence we have seen is clear. Full dissolution would disrupt critical services and lead to higher taxes for the people of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon. And while some people might be ok with that our government is clearly not,” he said in a news conference.
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In response to the news, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown posted on X that the Ontario government has “stopped a potential financial train wreck.”
Earlier this month, Brampton released shocking findings about the potential financial impact of breaking up the region, which staff predicted would cost a whopping $1.31 billion in operating costs. The report also said the move would have resulted in a one-time tax increase of 38 per cent across all three municipalities.
Back in May, the province introduced Bill 112, also known as the Hazel McCallion Act (Peel Dissolution), with the intention of dissolving Peel and making Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga single-tier municipalities by Jan. 1, 2025.
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles called the reversal a “seriously concerning pattern from Ford.”
“Another day, another chaotic policy reversal from Ontario’s corrupt Conservatives. Thank goodness they’re reversing these terrible plans, but the question everyone should be asking themselves is: why did they make them in the first place?,” she said in a statement.
Outgoing mayor of Mississauga Bonnie Crombie, who was in favour of the divorce, told reporters that this move is simply “a bump in the road.”
“I want to acknowledge the premier and minister could have chosen to completely walk away from the dissolution today, but they chose not to because deep down I know they share our collective commitment to ensuring that local government runs efficiently and effectively and that our taxpayers get a fair deal,” she said to media.
However, there is no indication that the government will revisit dissolving Peel at a later date.
Ontario residents have since been reacting to the government’s decision online.
“Thank God, that would have been utterly expensive and extremely problematic,” a user on X said.
Great opportunity for smart re-organization of Peel. Chance to eliminate unnecessary duplication. Give each city autonomy where appropriate. (eg. Planning, etc.) Then all 3 cities will benefit from shared services and economies of scale,” another user said.
“No winners, just a divide. Let’s ditch the Us vs. Them, Bonnie vs. Ford, or Hazel McCallion vision. Forgiveness is key; otherwise, this thorn will persist for generations. Invest and focus on our future,” one user added.
